For two decades, AB Fits has been dealing better denim. AB Fits provides up-front personal service to clothe their customers in a global assortment of cherry-picked men's and women's denim centric styles. Like being located on the oldest street of San Francisco in the neighborhood that gave birth to cool, the store puts people in clothes that embody character and quality. Desperados who cry "Jeans don't work for me!" walk their beautified butts out the door on the road to denim worship.

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On Saturday, September 15th, FEIT's master craftsman will be visiting the shop from southern China—where the FEIT production studio is located—for an exclusive live demonstration of their industry defining hand-sewing process that takes place on every pair of FEIT's classic Goodyear welted vegetable-tanned shoes. Each shoe is constructed from a single piece of leather and hand-stitched at the heel, completely seamless, ensuring comfort and allowing the shoe to break in naturally and eventually shape and mold to the foot.

Interactive workshops will be held throughout the day. Stop by the shop to view the craftsmanship up close, shop the newly dropped Fall Winter 2018 collection, and preview Spring Summer 2019 collection.

DRIVING PRINCIPLES

The global footwear industry will grow to over USD 320 billion by 2023, a staggering increase from USD 246 billion in 2017. Fueling the growth is the proliferation of mass production and the use of cheap synthetic materials and automation. The harmful impact on the environment unfortunately grows alongside in sync.

FEIT believes that creating high-quality, handmade shoes from natural materials will reduce production of harmful pollutants and our dependence on petroleum and landfills, while also extending the lifespan of each pair of shoes made. Skillfully hand-built by one craftsman from start to finish, FEIT adheres to a strict policy of using biological materials and natural treatments where possible. Natural materials breathe, patina, take on the shape of, and become one with, the wearer. Read more here about FEIT principles on construction and materials.

ABOUT FEIT

Designed by Tull Price in New York, all FEIT products are built entirely by hand from natural materials and produced in limited numbers with a carefully selected group of master craftspeople from around the world. FEIT was founded as an evolution of consumerism and production, moving away from volume and excess and towards quality, sustainability, and the pursuit of product integrity. FEIT operates two brick and mortar stores in New York and one in Sydney, and an online shop that ships internationally.

Our friends at Rope Dye sit down with Per Fredriksson of C.O.F. Studio, a.k.a., the godfather of denim, for an exclusive interview about his passion for denim, building the brand and the journey along the way.

THE 18 WAITS STORY

18 Waits is a common ground for like-minded individuals. It is a lifestyle as opposed to simply a brand or fashion label. It’s a way of life inspired by a joie de vivre and an appreciation of the finer things in life like an old pair of leather boots or a child’s painting. 18 Waits has an old European mentality which, at the same time, takes inspiration in nature and the natural flow of the earth. It is a lifestyle which adheres just as much to Parisian cafés as it does to old English pubs, 1920s New York speakeasies, wood cabins by the lake, old upright pianos, poetry, literature, and 1970s rock and roll music.

The clothes are built well from the finest fabrics appropriate for each item within the collection. There is virtually no detail overlooked and thoughtfully addressed. These items are meant to be worn well, enjoyed, loved, and destroyed.

Founder and Creative Director, Daniel Torjman, cut his teeth first at New York's Fashion Institute of Technology and then as a production manager for Rogan where he helped open the flagship store in Tribeca. Returning to Canada, Daniel turned his attentions to conceptualizing and launching 18 Waits. 18 Waits emphasizes quality in its materials and craftsmanship with a lineup of products made by artisans and manufacturers in Canada and the United States. He enjoys Rock & Roll music, traveling and adventures in the great outdoors with his wife Julia, son Hopper Hunter and their husky Alice Cooper.

SPRING 18 INSPIRATION: SUNSHINE | MOONLIGHT

For the Spring/Summer 2018 collection – Sunshine | Moonlight – 18 Waits is digging deeper into the desert landscape of the American southwest. They are particularly interested in the relationship between light and dark, sunshine and moonlight, and how they respectively create bright starkness or dark shadows, depending on the time of day or night. The light of the desert – or lack thereof – creates such great imagery and varies dramatically between dusk, dawn, high noon, and twilight.

This season, they were inspired by Georgia O’Keeffe - one of the most significant and trailblazing American modernist artists of the twentieth century. Her profound landscapes, mountain ranges, and images of bones against the stark desert skies are the iconic images that influenced us for this collection. They found inspiration in the light and mood of her paintings, as well as the spirit of the of the New Mexican terrain.

O’Keefe’s use of light provoked the idea to explore the relationship between light and dark; sunshine and moonlight. The lightness, darkness, starkness and shadows of a desert vista informs the color story and pattern choices for this collection to wear during the day and at night, in the city and out in the wilds.

‘I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way... things I had no words for.’ - Georgia O’Keefe

THE STORY

C.O.F. Studio represents what can be achieved when a “Circle Of Friends” work together to create something special and unique. At the center of this circle, you will find Per Fredriksson, founder and creative mind behind this concept and brand.

Per comes from a small town south of Stockholm, Sweden, and has always held tightly to the dream of one day creating his own denim concept. His obsession with denim started back in the 70’s, at a time when the denim industry was reaching its pinnacle in Europe. What sealed his fate was a copy of Interview magazine, which contained an iconic image of Andy Warhol dressed in his signature pair of Levi’s® 501 jeans®. From that first glimpse of the iconic red tab, Per made every effort to have a career positioning him as close to the world of denim as possible.

His career flourished, from stocking the store shelves at Gul & Blå, to Product Manager at Dobber Jeans, which in Scandinavia was second only to Levi’s®. Each opportunity allowed Per to discover all facets and nuances of denim manufacturing. His passion fueled the desire to become an expert on the business of denim.

In the 80’s, his work brought him to Japan. Per was one of the first people to help introduce selvage denim to their industry. Then in the 90’s, he made his biggest move. He moved to Italy, where he lived and worked for 18 years. In Italy, Per focused on the manufacturing processes: stitching, construction, and hand washing.

Under the name Modern Basic 08, Per provided, and continues to provide, jeans and fabrics to many of the industry’s leading denim brands. It is his endless knowledge and close friendships, developed throughout his lengthy and dedicated career in denim, that has brought Per back to Stockholm, Sweden to start his own denim brand, C.O.F. Studio.

DENIM CONCEPT

C.O.F. Studio has one simple mission: bring together people who share a common vision toward creating quality denim products. The brand’s collection showcases a balanced synergy between modern classic Swedish designs and traditional high quality Italian made jeans, always staying true to the DNA of the company – denim. They maintain traditional craftsmanship techniques, yet find it equally important to look forward, creating new expressions and finding innovative ways of managing production.

They carefully choose the highest quality raw materials and fabrications to create every pair of jeans. The manufacturers and suppliers to C.O.F. Studio are the foundation of their brand. Fabrics are primarily sourced from the world famous Candiani Denim. Top grade leather from Panama Trimmings, and superior hardware from RiRi Group; buttons and rivets from Cobrax, and zippers from Meras assure the highest quality of function and detailing. The Rivetto D’oro (golden rivet) is their ultimate detail; the highest symbol of quality awarded to C.O.F. Studio by Candiani Denim, along with the great honor of being one of three companies to be granted the Candiani Denim Black Label, signifying their strong partnership and common commitment to excellence.

C.O.F. Studio jeans are sewn in small numbers by a handful of expert operators in Italy. As a true testament of quality, each garment is marked with the specific friends involved in every pair, including the denim mill, button and rivet manufacturers, leather tannery, master tailors, and washing experts.

Don’t forget the ones you love on the 14th! Spice up your Valentine’s Day, and get some extra loving-you know how that works (wink, wink).

We have chosen some new spring items that will surely please your special someone(s). Our selection is deep and wide, like the love in your generous heart. Complimentary gift wrap eliminates the stress, and will free up some time to get chocolate, flowers, and plan that quick trip to Paris.

Jill Platner Nothing says I Love You like a Jill Platner design. Hand crafted in NYC of Sterling Silver and crocheted nylon cord, these brilliant sculptural pieces are timeless, true in form and function. Go ahead, make them fall in love with you, or reassure them they are still the one and only.Shop Jewelry >>

Cinq Jewelry Simp-elegant! Yes, it’s a word. Cinq jewelry is delicate and offers easy styling and layering. Crafted by hand in San Francisco, any piece would make a perfect sentiment for your special Valentine.Shop Jewelry >>

Lotuff Men's Leather Backback

This handmade leather backpack will knock his socks off-straight into the dryer! This backpack, is the perfect way to express your admiration and devotion, not to mention to score major points. Hopefully, you will be generous to eciprocate.

Lotuff The TrippBuy this bag so that she can have a life long love affair with Lotuff and you, as their bags are guaranteed for life! They have adjustable and detachable straps, which will allow her to use it a clutch too. She’ll be impressed by your taste level and generosity.

Hollows Leather Bracelet Handcrafted in Portland, these rugged double wrap leather bracelets are perfect for layering. Pick one up for a favorite love or dear friend. Remember, gift wrap is complimentary.

Antipast Socks It’s a wonderful world in which we live. Choose just one pair as a small token of your affection, or buy a pair for every day of the week. Antipast socks will show them how much you care about their comfort and style, without being over the top. The spring collection has something for everyone-including yourself.